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Nehemiah 1:1-2, 7:2

The Comfort of God

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
December 1, 2022

The book of Nehemiah begins by setting the stage for his return to Jerusalem to rebuild the people of Judah. We are introduced to three people: Nehemiah, the speaker or writer, Hacaliah, and Hanani. We are informed of the geographical places involved in the story. They are Susa and Jerusalem. We then learn about the time of the event. The first two verses read, “The words of Nehemiah, the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem.”

Nehemiah is identified as the son of Hacaliah of whom we know nothing. This is the only place in the Bible where he is mentioned. We can assume that Nehemiah is telling us about his inquiry of Hanani about the well-being of those who escaped captivity and possibly remained in Israel while others were taken off as prisoners to Babylon. We don’t know much about him either. Still, Noss says that Hanani is one of Nehemiah’s physical brothers, as cited in Nehemiah 7:2. “Hanani the governor of Jerusalem is identified as a brother of Nehemiah. The other men in the group referred to here are not included in the designation as brothers although they were fellow Jews. Thus, Hanani must have been a blood brother of Nehemiah.”[1] Nehemiah also asks Hanani about the current state of the city of Jerusalem. According to our calendar, the time of year that is referred to by the month of “Chislev” would be mid-November to mid-December. Nehemiah places himself in Susa. According to the Handbook for Translators, “Susa, the ancient capital of Elam, was a seasonal residence of the Achaemenian kings in the winter months. It was one of four Persian capital cities. It was located 200 miles southeast of Babylon in the southwestern part of modern Iran.”

Nehemiah’s name in Hebrew literally translates “The Lord Comforts” or “Comforted by God.” Modern Baby Name books suggest it means “God has comforted.”[2] Another site gives us a modern devotion based on his name. It says, “Nehemiah is a masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning “God comforts.” Composed of the Hebrew word nacham, meaning “to comfort,” the name finds its true substance in the Jewish leader, Nehemiah. This revered biblical figure is long celebrated for rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls after the Jews return from Babylonian exile. Embodying the very essence of his name, Nehemiah would go on to restore the Jewish community and the Law of Moses within it. Celebrated for his soothing of turmoil within a disconnected community, Nehemiah will surely encourage future namesakes to find solace in the nurturing of their nearest and dearest.”[3]

[1] Noss, Philip A., and Kenneth J. Thomas. 2005. A Handbook on Ezra and Nehemiah. Edited by Paul Clarke, Schuyler Brown, Louis Dorn, and Donald Slager. United Bible Societies’ Handbooks. New York: United Bible Societies.

[2] https://babynames.com/name/nehemiah

[3] https://www.thebump.com/b/nehemiah-baby-name

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Ezra 1:1-2, Proverbs 21:1

The King is in God’s Hands

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
November 30, 2022

God had provided for all debts to be forgiven, all slaves to be set free, and all lands to be returned to their original owners once every 50 years. The years were called “The year of Jubilee.” Israel ignored that instruction as well as all the directions God had given the nation in the final chapters of the book of Deuteronomy. Thus, the curses promised in Deuteronomy fell upon them and Syria scattered the tribes of the north then Babylon enslaved the tribes of the south and took slaves to Babylon. Jeremiah prophesied this and added that their enslavement in Babylon would last one year for every year they neglected the year of Jubilee. For 70 years the children of Judah remained captive in Babylon until God moved in the heart of the great king, Cyrus, to send them back to the promised land with the charge of rebuilding the temple and reestablishing Yahweh worship. The first verse of the book of Ezra tells us this. It says, “In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: ‘Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.’”

It almost sounds like the great king of Persia, who had conquered most of the known world, was a believer in Yahweh. But Cyrus makes a comment in his journals that suggests it was for political reasons and not for religious ones as the Bible Knowledge Commentary reports, “The famous Cyrus Cylinder (538 b.c.), which records his capture of Babylon and his program of repatriating his subject peoples in their homelands, includes this statement: ‘May all the gods whom I have resettled in their sacred cities daily ask Bel and Nebo for a long life for me.’”[1] Ezra, however, sees the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy in Cyrus’ decree. “The ‘proclamation’ is the famous ‘Edict of Cyrus.’ A secular historian would not have seen God’s hand in this. The Cyrus Cylinder, a clay barrel inscription found in Hormuzd Rassam’s excavations at Babylon (1879–82), shows that this king made similar proclamations concerning other people’s gods. But our author saw here the providence of God, a theme that is prominent throughout the book. The author of Ezra-Nehemiah, with his biblical view of history, challenges us also to believe that God works within a specific time frame, that he has a plan, that he keeps his word, and that his prophecies will be fulfilled. God does influence people to accomplish his will. J. G. McConville explains that ‘behind this opening verse … lies the affirmation that all the might of the ancient world was in subjection to God and put at the disposal of his people for their salvation.’”[2]

Believers interpret history differently than others. To the secular world, things came to be by accident, and a progressive development of life called evolution without the assistance or care of a divine being. Historical events can all be explained through human reason and investigation. But the believer sees the hand of God in all events in his life as well as all events in the world. We believe Solomon’s words in Proverbs 21:1, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.”

[1] Martin, John A. 1985. “Ezra.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, 1:654. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

[2] Breneman, Mervin. 1993. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. Electronic ed. Vol. 10. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

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2 Chronicles 1:1

One Nation Under God

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
November 29, 2022

In your reading of the Bible, you might have noticed that there has been some great drama in the life of David, with his family, and in the transition of the kingdom from David to his son Solomon. But the wisdom of Solomon shows up quickly. 2 Chronicles begins with this account: “Solomon the son of David established himself in his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him and made him exceedingly great.” When the Lord is with a nation, they become exceedingly great!

I like the English Standard Translation of the Bible, but this verse falls short of the original Hebrew intent. The conjunction “and” should be translated “for” or “because,” as the Handbook for Translators suggests.”[1] This connects Solomon’s success with God. It’s not that Solomon was great, “and” God was with him. It should be understood that Solomon was great “because” God was with him. The same language is used concerning Joshua when he succeeded Moses. God advanced them and God sustained them, and God brought success in their leadership roles. The story of Solomon’s reign, his building enterprises, and his wisdom will occupy a large portion of the 2nd Chronicles. Even in light of his many weaknesses, which 2nd Chronicles seems to leave out, we are reminded “…that Solomon began his reign by seeking God. Here, as elsewhere, it is not the specific facts of Solomon’s reign but the principles behind it that the Chronicler stresses. The postexilic Jews, like Israel after the death of David, faced an uncertain future. The right place to begin was with God. His favor and direction alone could give health and peace to the nation.”[2] That Solomon was able to establish himself as King of Israel was only possible because of God’s blessings.

Pratt summarizes this idea regarding Solomon by saying, “His successes were not the result of human schemes or tyranny. They resulted from God’s blessing.”[3]  It wasn’t that Solomon was such a great politician or wise leader. It was because he followed in His father’s footsteps in his desire to serve the one true God. The Kingdom of Israel had its greatest successes during the life of Solomon. The kings that brought the downfall of the nation of Israel after Solomon did not do so because they were not good politicians. They brought Israel down because they failed to seek God. One web writer observes that this has become America’s problem as well, “The greatest problem our country is facing today is not political; it is spiritual. We are experiencing the consequences of a nation that has turned its back on God. We have replaced His laws with sinful laws that embrace all manner of debauchery. What we so desperately need are leaders who are wise enough to recognize this fact and bold enough to address the problem. Our churches, schools, government, even the Supreme Court, have been infiltrated by atheists who fight against God and all that is good and moral. Abortion and homosexual marriage, both of which are against God’s law, are now being celebrated, even by many who call themselves Christians.”[4] There have been several legal battles to remove from our pledge of allegiance, “One nation under God.” That has not been accomplished yet, but it seems it has been accomplished in practical ways. God has been removed from much of our public life in America.

[1] Omanson, Roger L., and John E. Ellington. 2014. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles. Edited by Paul Clarke, Schuyler Brown, Louis Dorn, and Donald Slager. Vol. 1 & 2. United Bible Societies’ Handbooks. Miami, FL: United Bible Societies.

[2] Thompson, J. A. 1994. 1, 2 Chronicles. Vol. 9. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

[3] Pratt, Richard L., Jr. 2006. 1 and 2 Chronicles: A Mentor Commentary. Mentor Commentaries. Fearn, Tain, Ross-shire, Great Britain: Mentor.

[4] https://www.ydr.com/story/opinion/readers/2016/05/11/us-has-turned-its-back-god-letters/84226260/

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1 Chronicles 1:1-4

It’s All About Us!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
November 28, 2022

The 13th book in the English Bible, 1st Chronicles, begins with a list of thirteen names. I think that’s just a coincidence. The list begins at the very beginning. It says, “Adam, Seth, Enosh; Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared; Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech; Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.” It doesn’t need an explanation. When you see the first two names, you know exactly what the list of names represents. It uses up the first four verses of the book. Verses 1, 2, and 3 each have three names and verse 4 has the last four names. That might be to aid in memorization. But why begin a new account of the history of Israel with a list of names? “Perhaps the best answer is provided by M. Wilcock, who observes that the generations after the exile needed a sense of history and legitimacy. In other words, they needed roots. Using the analogy of a tree, Wilcock observes that the genealogies reach from the very deepest root—Adam—to the very topmost branches of the tree—people who were living in the Chronicler’s lifetime. With these roots, God’s people knew who they were and how they were to live. They may have felt like the most insignificant of peoples (a small, backwater country in the great Persian Empire), but the genealogies served to remind them that they were not only a people with a rich history but that their history was God’s history.”[1]

We all need roots. I’ve spent some significant time looking up my roots. I can’t go very far back on my mother’s side because everything is lost regarding her mother and my mother never knew who her real father was. I can trace my father’s history back to Denmark though but all I’ve been able to learn about the Denmark Larsens who are my ancestors is that one of them was a Danish Lutheran Pastor. He had three wives and three children from each wife. My connection is with the second or third son of the first wife. The first two wives both died in childbirth if I remember correctly. I have no idea what went on before that and because I can’t read Danish, it’s been impossible for me to find out. One day they will translate the statistics from Denmark into English, and I’ll do research again, or one of my descendants will. From Adam to my Danish Lutheran Pastor is just a big void. I have no idea. But the Bible picks up for me and gives me roots back to Adam.

It’s interesting that Cain and Able, Adam’s first two sons, are not mentioned in this list at all. We do know from Genesis that Cain had a genealogy similar to that of Seth, but the names of those are not important because they were all lost in the flood. No one alive today descends from them. We all come from one of the three sons of Noah mentioned in verse 4. “The descendants of Shem are the peoples of Mesopotamia and Arabia. The descendants of Ham, whose name in Hebrew means ‘warmth’ or ‘heat,’ are the peoples in northeastern Africa, Syria, and Palestine. The descendants of Japheth are the peoples of Europe and Asia.”[2] One web article describes the importance of our genealogies, “As we dive into our own family histories, we see events unfold on both a large scale and a personal scale. Contemplating the enormity of mankind while reading about the hand of the Lord in our ancestors’ lives bears record to us of His concern and immense love for each of us personally. Our worth and value is great in His sight. We are loved and known by Him. Our family history goes beyond the names and dates we find in our tree. It’s about what makes us who we are. It’s about people with whom we can form deep connections. It’s about people who lived and breathed and suffered and triumphed. It’s about roots and branches and leaves and entire forests. It’s about all of us.”[3]

[1] Thompson, J. A. 1994. 1, 2 Chronicles. Vol. 9. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

[2] Omanson, Roger L., and John E. Ellington. 2014. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles. Edited by Paul Clarke, Schuyler Brown, Louis Dorn, and Donald Slager. Vol. 1 & 2. United Bible Societies’ Handbooks. Miami, FL: United Bible Societies.

[3] https://www.familysearch.org/en/blog/why-we-need-family-history-now-more-than-ever

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2 Kings 1:1

America: Watch Out!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
November 27, 2022

If you’ve paid attention to earlier books of the Old Testament, you’ll remember that many of them begin with someone’s death. Joshua begins with Moses’ death. Judges begins with Joshua’s death and there are others. 2 Kings continues that pattern. The first verse says, “After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel.” When Walton begins his commentary on this verse he wants to remind us of Ahab and his contribution to the life of Israel during his reign. Walton writes, “Ahab had ruled Israel along with his Sidonian wife, Jezebel (1 Kings 16:29–22:40), and died around 852 b.c. Our biblical writers credit Ahab with opening the door to the worship of the god Baal in Israel through his marriage to Jezebel (16:31), and much of the material in 1 Kings that offers us a portrait of Ahab’s reign is focused on the conflict at this time between Yahwism (championed predominantly by the prophet Elijah) and Baalism (championed predominantly by Jezebel, yet supported also by Ahab). This conflict is itself seen as extending far beyond Ahab’s reign and drawing in other members of the Omride dynasty.”[1]

“The Moabites were the descendants of Lot’s grandson Moab (Gen. 19:30–38). Their land was immediately east of the Dead Sea and shared an indefinite border with Israel to the north at approximately the point where the Jordan River enters the Dead Sea. Moab was a powerful enemy of Israel until the time of the judges, when, under the leadership of Ehud, it was subdued ( Judg. 3:30). It continued under Israel’s subjection until Ahab was defeated at Ramoth Gilead. At that time, taking advantage of Israel’s temporary weakness, Moab rebelled.” This rebellion, led by Moab’s king Mesha, is going to be described in more detail in 2 Kings chapter 3. With Ahab’s death, the rebellion takes place when Ahaziah was king.”[2]

The Moabite rebellion mentioned here is not against Ahab, but against his son Ahaziah, who took his place. Ahab was famous for his idolatry which was to lead to the deterioration of the power of Israel as a nation. As Hobbs says, “The significance of these events is that they show, after the death of Ahab, the disintegration of the Israelite empire.”[3] As we know the Nation of Israel is on its way off the map of world history. It will be conquered by Assyria in 721 B.C.  I believe the US is facing a similar fate. Our problems, however, are not from external threats. The decline of this nation (just as the decline of every other nation) is due to spiritual factors. The political, economic, and social problems we encounter are the symptoms of the spiritual deterioration of a nation. One web writer rightly observed, “Our problem is that we don’t really learn from history. George Santayana said that ‘those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it.’ The philosopher Hegel said, ‘What experience and history teach us is this: that people and government never have learned anything from history or acted on principles deduced from it.’ Or as Winston Churchill said, ‘The one thing we have learned from history is that we don’t learn from history.’”[4] As we support killing our citizens in the womb, all kinds of sexual aberrations, as well as a legal system that does not punish criminals, all I can say to America is “Watch out!”

[1] Walton, John H. 2009. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary (Old Testament): 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. Vol. 3. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

[2] Dilday, Russell, and Lloyd J. Ogilvie. 1987. 1, 2 Kings. Vol. 9. The Preacher’s Commentary Series. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.

[3] Hobbs, T. R. 1985. 2 Kings. Vol. 13. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word, Incorporated.

[4] http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/decline.html

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1 Kings 1:1, Psalm 90:10

God is the real Hero!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
November 26, 2022

David had a very illustrious life. He was the hero and the villain. He won great fame but also great infamy as his own sons rebelled against him. He was a man after God’s own heart and, at the same time, committed adultery and murder. One web commentator writes, “David was a sinner. When you consider the New Testament passages stating that hating someone in your heart is like murder to God and lusting after a woman in your heart is like adultery, we can see that we are all like David, sinners before God.”[1] It’s difficult at times to see David as the great hero the slew Goliath in his youth after the many failures in his life. 1 Kings is important to you and me because the primary theological lesson in 1 Kings could be, “How is God’s sovereign will enacted with imperfect people and institutions? How does God’s will interface with free will, especially when Israel and her kings choose another course? This is the real tension of Kings. The answer will call attention to Yahweh’s power and grace, for he will remember his promise to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David and emerge as the sole hero of the story.”[2]

We don’t know precisely how old David was at the beginning of 1 Kings. But we have a pretty good idea. Our opening verse says, “Now King David was old and advanced in years.” According to Moses in Psalm 90:10, “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.” We know that David was 30 years old when he began to rule, according to 2 Samuel 5:4. We also know that David is said to have reigned for 40 years. Assuming these are accurate, David was in his early 70s. This doesn’t sound too old to us today (2022). But According to John Walton, at that point in history, “Even royalty were not expected to live beyond their late forties. Walton says that 70 years was “…much older than the average lifespan in the first millennium b.c.”[3] As I approach my 76th birthday, I’m sure thankful that Moses added that we could make it to 80 if we’re strong. I’m strong! I’m strong!

The first verse continues and tells us that David, at 70, was not strong. It says, “And although they covered him with clothes, he could not get warm.” The clothes they covered him with could easily be translated as “blankets.” Christian Standard Version says they covered him with “bedclothes.” The New Living Translation says, “many blankets.” David’s physical health is all but gone. “Once a great fighter, politician, and lover, his circulation is not sufficient to keep him warm, even with the aid of blankets. With death imminent, it is obvious that a new leader must replace David. Who will this person be? How will he be chosen? What kind of character will he possess?”[4] The impending death of David sets the scene for all that’s to follow in both the books of the Kings and the Chronicles.

[1] https://studyandobey.com/character-studies/david-character-study/

[2] Long, Jesse C. 2002. 1 & 2 Kings. College Press NIV Commentary. Joplin, MO: College Press Pub.

[3] Walton, John H. 2009. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary (Old Testament): 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. Vol. 3. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

[4] House, Paul R. 1995. 1, 2 Kings. Vol. 8. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

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2 Samuel 1:1, 1 Samuel review

Saul’s defeat – David’s victory

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
November 25, 2022

Saul’s defeat – David’s victory! (2 Samuel 1:1)

Phillips gives an excellent review of the final events of 1 Samuel to connect the story with what is to come in 2 Samuel.  “1 and 2 Samuel is one book in the original Hebrew composition. During the second half of the third century BC, 70 scribes translated the Hebrew Old Testament into the Greek Septuagint. Because the scrolls at that time did not have enough space for the content of Samuel, it was divided into two books.”[1] Don’t miss the similarity between the opening words of 2 Samuel and those of some earlier books. Joshua begins recounting the death of Moses. Judges begins recounting the death of Joshua. 2 Kings will start by recounting the death of Ahab. It might be that this formula was the deciding factor as to where the book of Samuel was to be divided into two books. 2 Samuel begins by telling us of Saul’s defeat and David’s victory. “After the death of Saul, when David had returned from striking down the Amalekites, David remained two days in Ziklag.”

Phillips writes, “As we begin to study 2 Samuel, we encounter in David another man whose life was dramatically changed by news of a death. Second Samuel picks up the story directly where 1 Samuel left it off. This is to be expected since originally, until the time of its translation into Greek, Samuel was a single book in the Bible. First Samuel 29 tells of David’s armed band of fugitives marching in the Philistine host as it advanced toward its invasion of Israel and of how David was providentially delivered from the battle that would take place in the north. Chapter 30 tells of his return to his southern base at Ziklag, only to find that Amalekite raiders had made off with their wives, children, and property. David and his men pursued and defeated these raiders and returned to Ziklag. The final chapter of 1 Samuel then relates the result of the battle between King Saul and the Israelites against the massed Philistine host. When 2 Samuel begins, the reader knows what David does not yet know: Saul was defeated and killed, and the Israelites were scattered in defeat.”[2]

David had just returned from defeating the age-old enemies of Israel, the Amalekites. When Moses led Israel out of Egypt, the Amalekites would attack the rear of the Israelite procession to such an extent that Moses had to recruit Joshua to go to war with them.  We saw the rise of Moses’ successor in the victorious person of Joshua. Here we see Saul’s successor in the victorious person of David. The English Standard Translation says David “struck down” the Amalekites, while some other translations say he “slaughtered” them. The main point seems to be that while the Philistines were defeating Saul, David was defeating the Amalekites. From his first appearance in the Bible, David is seen as a very different kind of leader than Saul.

[1] https://answers-to-all.com/users-questions/why-was-samuel-split-into-two-books/

[2] Phillips, Richard D. 2018. 2 Samuel. Edited by Richard D. Phillips, Philip Graham Ryken, and Iain M. Duguid. Reformed Expository Commentary. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing.

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1 Samuel 1:1, Micah 5:2

Looking for a Leader

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
November 24, 2022

John Woodbridge titles his commentary on 1st Samuel, “Looking for a Leader.” He writes, “The book of 1 Samuel takes us back more than 3,000 years. The date was about 1050 b.c. It was a time when the question of leadership was very much in the air in the small and relatively young nation of Israel.” It had just endured several centuries of confusion, social upheaval, and near anarchy. It was the time during which there were 13 cycles where the nation sinned against God. God brought punishment to them. They repented and cried out for salvation. God would then send a judge or a deliverer. Then, the cycle would begin again. Each time the nation found itself in dire straights, they called for God to send a deliverer. God sent them one to “lead” them against their enemies. The book ends with the phrase, “there was no king in Israel, so each man did that which was right in his own eyes.” In the Hebrew Old Testament, 1 Samuel comes right after the book of Judges. In English Bibles, Ruth found its way between the two books because its first verse places it in the time of the Judges. So Woodbridge concludes, “In other words, there was no established and permanent political authority in the land. Anarchy reigned. There was a crisis of leadership in Israel. Or so it seemed.” We’ll read the story of three leaders: Samuel, Saul, and David, whose story will be concluded in 2 Samuel.

1 Samuel begins by introducing a man named Elkanah. The first verse says, “There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite.” We don’t know much about Elkanah besides what is recorded in the opening verses of 1 Samuel. To some degree, we might say Elkanah was a nobody. The book of 1 Samuel is about how God uses “nobodies” to accomplish his will. He chooses a nobody and makes a “somebody” out of them. Samuel, the maker of kings, is the descendant of Elkanah, as we’ll see, and God uses him to establish the united kingdom of Israel under King David.

Down the lineage of Elkanah was “Zuph.” He is called an “Ephrathite.” He was also a nobody from a place that was a “no place”: Bethlehem! But the “little town” was to become famous as the Prophet Micah foretold long after the story of 1 Samuel takes place. He writes in Micah 5:2, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.” So “The book of 1 Samuel is going to tell us the extraordinary story of the leadership crisis in Israel at the end of the second millennium b.c. In ways that will surprise us, it will point us to God’s astonishing answer to Israel’s predicament. We will see that God’s answer for Israel turns out to be his answer for the whole world and for each of us individually.”[1]

[1] Woodhouse, John. 2008. 1 Samuel: Looking for a Leader. Preaching the Word. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

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